The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) will celebrate Pakistan Women Entrepreneurship Day (PWED) on December 3, 2025, reaffirming its commitment to fostering women’s participation in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The main ceremony will be held at SBP Karachi, with a keynote address by Governor SBP, Jameel Ahmad, with simultaneous activities organised through SBP’s 16 field offices across the country.
PWED was launched to recognise and encourage the vital contributions of women entrepreneurs in Pakistan. The 2024 celebrations brought together international and local partners, financial institutions, civil society, and women entrepreneurs.
Key Highlights included:
- 50+ outreach sessions engaging with over 1,500 women entrepreneurs
- PKR 24 billion in financing by commercial banks disbursed to more than 20,000 women-led businesses
- 800+ innovative ideas submitted to SBP’s Business Idea Competition
- Recognition awards honouring outstanding women entrepreneurs and leading banks
- Media and digital engagement reaching one million impressions
Building on this momentum, PWED 2025 aims to deepen outreach and support, creating sustainable pathways for women in business. As a part of a global initiative, PWED also honours women innovators, job creators, and change-makers.
III. Event Objectives
- Promote Financial Inclusion: Showcase SBP’s policies and initiatives to enhance access to finance for women entrepreneurs and reduce barriers to credit availability & affordability.
- Recognise Achievements: Honour outstanding women entrepreneurs and financial institutions that champion women’s business leadership through awards and recognition.
- Encourage Participation: Inspire aspiring women entrepreneurs by providing a platform for networking, mentorship, and capacity building.
- Key Message
Empowering women entrepreneurs is essential for broad-based and sustainable economic growth. The State Bank of Pakistan is committed to creating an inclusive financial ecosystem where women-led businesses can flourish. By celebrating their resilience, innovation, and success, this initiative underscores the critical role of women entrepreneurs as drivers of productivity, employment generation, and long-term competitiveness of the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
- Key Highlights of PWED 2025
- Awareness Campaigns (Ongoing) such as SME Baithak meetings, awareness workshops, mentorship programs, and entrepreneurship enhancement drive. The outreach will extend to over 50 districts nationwide, engaging thousands of women entrepreneurs in awareness sessions to promote financial inclusion, business growth, and access to finance for women-led businesses.
- Business Idea Competition 2025
The competition encourages aspiring women entrepreneurs to showcase their innovative ideas. These ideas were submitted through a dedicated form, which was circulated through SBP social media channels and website; the last date for submission of ideas was November 5, 2025. The winner will be recognised at the main ceremony, and they will have the opportunity to showcase their ideas on a larger stage.
- Week-long Nationwide Activities (Dec 1–5, 2025), such as awareness sessions, account opening drives and announcement of dedicated financing products for women entrepreneurs, will be carried out collectively by the banking industry in collaboration with partner institutions such as UN Women, British Asian Trust, Circle Women, New World Concept, Inspiring Women, etc.
- Recognition Awards Ceremony Honouring outstanding women-led businesses with the Women of Impact award in the following categories.
- Innovative Leader Award: Recognising women entrepreneurs who demonstrate exceptional creativity and innovation in driving business growth.
- Social Impact Award: Honouring women-led enterprises that create meaningful social change and empower communities.
- Sustainability Champion Award: Celebrating women entrepreneurs committed to promoting sustainable and environmentally responsible business practices.
- Resilience Award: Acknowledging women leaders who have shown remarkable perseverance and strength in overcoming challenges to achieve success.
Banks will be awarded based on two categories.
- Top Performance Award based on top top-performing banks in Women Financing
- Tech Innovator Award based on top banks that have developed and launched products and services aimed at promoting digital adoption among women in Pakistan
In addition, the top regional women entrepreneurs and banks will be recognised at ceremonies to be held at BSC field offices.
